What to do if Texas DPS has your information wrong on your driver license
If your Texas driver license contains an error — a misspelled name, wrong date of birth, incorrect address, or other mistake — you need to contact the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to request a correction. DPS does not automatically fix errors; you must report them and provide proof of the correct information. The process depends on what is wrong and whether the error is on a current license or one that has already expired.
Most corrections can be handled in person at a DPS driver license office, by mail, or through the DPS website for certain types of changes. The time it takes to receive a corrected license varies, but you should expect at least two to three weeks if you mail your request, and same-day or next-day service if you visit an office in person.
Key Takeaways
- Contact your local DPS driver license office or visit the Texas DPS website to report the error and learn what documents you need to prove the correction.
- You will need to bring or mail your current license plus official documents that show the correct information, such as a birth certificate, Social Security card, or utility bill.
- Name changes, address changes, and date-of-birth corrections each require different supporting documents and may take different amounts of time to process.
- If you cannot visit an office, you can mail your request to the DPS address listed on the Texas DPS website, but processing by mail is slower than in-person service.
- Some errors, such as a wrong photo or incorrect license class, may require you to retake your photo or pass a new test before the corrected license is issued.
How to report an error on your current Texas license
The fastest way to report an error is to visit a DPS driver license office in person. Bring your current license, your Social Security card, and any official documents that prove the correct information. For a name error, bring a birth certificate or marriage certificate. For an address error, bring a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. For a date-of-birth error, bring your birth certificate.
Tell the DPS staff member which information is wrong and show them your supporting documents. They will verify the error in the system and issue you a corrected license on the spot or within a few days, depending on whether a new photo is needed. If the error affects your license class or driving restrictions, you may need to retake a written or driving test before the correction is approved.
If you cannot visit an office, you can mail your request to the DPS address listed on the Texas DPS website. Include a letter explaining what is wrong, a copy of your current license, and copies of your supporting documents. Mail everything to the address provided. Processing by mail typically takes two to four weeks.
Errors that require a new photo or test
Some errors require you to retake your driver license photo or pass a new test. If the error involves your photo — for example, the DPS scanned the wrong person's photo onto your license — you will need to visit an office to have a new photo taken. This is done when ready and your corrected license is issued the same day or within a few business day.
If the error involves your license class or restrictions — for example, your license says you can drive a commercial vehicle when you should not be able to, or it lists a restriction you do not have — DPS may require you to pass a written test or driving test to confirm the correct class. You will be told what test is needed when you report the error. Schedule the test through the DPS website or by calling your local office.
Name changes and legal documentation
If your name is misspelled on your license, you can correct it with a birth certificate or other official document showing your legal name. If you have legally changed your name through marriage, divorce, or court order, you will need to provide the legal document that proves the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. DPS will not accept a name change without this documentation.
Bring the original document or a certified copy to a DPS office, or mail a certified copy with your request. If you do not have the original document, you can order a certified copy from the county clerk's office where the event took place (the county where you were married, divorced, or where the court order was issued). This usually takes one to two weeks and costs between $10 and $25.
Address changes and proof of residency
To correct an address error on your license, bring a document dated within the last 60 days that shows your correct address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail. The document must show your name and address clearly.
If you are correcting an address because you moved, you can also update your address online through the Texas DPS website without visiting an office — but this is an address change, not an error correction. If the address on your license is straightforward wrong (for example, DPS typed it incorrectly when you first applied), you will need to report it as an error and bring proof of your correct address.
Date of birth and Social Security number errors
If your date of birth is wrong on your license, bring your birth certificate to a DPS office. This is one of the most common errors and is usually corrected when ready. If your Social Security number is incorrect, bring your Social Security card and birth certificate. DPS will verify the correct number in the Social Security Administration database before issuing a corrected license.
These errors can affect your driving record, insurance, and other official documents, so it is important to correct them as soon as you notice them. If you have received a ticket or been in an accident under the wrong date of birth or Social Security number, contact DPS to may support the record is corrected and linked to your correct information.
What happens if DPS denies your correction request
DPS may deny a correction request if you do not provide acceptable supporting documents or if the information you are claiming is correct conflicts with other records in the system. For example, if you say your date of birth is wrong but your Social Security record shows the date on your license, DPS may ask you to provide additional proof or may refer you to the Social Security Administration to correct that record first.
If your request is denied, DPS will send you a letter explaining why. You can appeal the decision by visiting a DPS office in person with additional documentation, or by contacting the DPS customer service line listed on the letter. Keep copies of all documents you submit and any letters you receive from DPS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a corrected license the same day I report the error?
Yes, if you visit a DPS office in person and the error does not require a new photo or test. Most straightforward corrections like name, address, or date-of-birth errors are fixed when ready. If a new photo is needed, it is taken the same day and your license is issued within a few business days.
What if I do not have a birth certificate to prove my correct name or date of birth?
You can order a certified copy from the vital records office in the county or state where you were born. This usually costs $10 to $25 and takes one to two weeks. In the meantime, you can visit a DPS office with other documents that show your correct information, such as a passport, military ID, or court order, and ask if they will accept those instead.
Do I have to pay a fee to correct an error on my license?
No. DPS does not charge a fee to correct an error that DPS made. However, if you need to order supporting documents like a birth certificate or marriage certificate, those agencies will charge a fee. If you need a replacement license due to the error, you may be charged the standard replacement fee depending on your situation.
How do I know if there is an error on my license before I get pulled over?
Check your license carefully when you receive it. Compare the name, date of birth, address, and license number to your process and supporting documents. If you spot an error, report it right away. You can also check your driving record online through the Texas DPS website to see what information is on file.
What if the error is on an expired license?
You can still request a correction, but you will need to renew your license at the same time. Visit a DPS office with your expired license and supporting documents. You will pay the renewal fee and receive a corrected, renewed license. If you prefer, you can renew first and then report the error, but it is faster to do both at once.